Authentic and heartfelt ✨
BIMM Brighton student Darcey Hope has released her debut single. ‘Hold On’ is our Track of the Week. Take a listen, and discover more about the track below…
Describe your new track in three words:
heartwarming, vulnerable and mellow
What inspired you when writing this track?
The song is about the highs and lows of a long-distance relationship and the slew of intense emotions involved when you miss the person you love. I wrote the song at the height of the pandemic during my first year. The blur of emotions I experienced over that time is what inspired me to write it.
I’m an extrovert and constantly surround myself with people that I love. When I couldn’t see those people, I found myself feeling isolated from the world. I hated goodbyes and that feeling of not knowing when you would next see them. I used songwriting to process what I was going through. I wanted to be as honest as possible in my lyrics so other people going through the same struggles of long-distance can find solace in the song.
Are there any artists that inspire you when writing?
So many! My parents brought me up on lots of different music, which allowed me to develop a deep and varied taste in music, reflected in my influences and writing. My biggest writing inspirations are Kacey Musgraves, Sheryl Crow, Sara Bareilles, Lana Del Rey and Carole King, all amazing female artists and songwriters. I love how they all stand so firmly in the industry. You hear a Lana Del Rey song and know it’s Lana Del Rey due to her impeccable blend of vintage and contemporary sounds. You hear Kacey Musgraves and her country twang, and her unapologetically honest lyrics are instantly recognisable. Sheryl Crow and Carole King are just complete icons! (I just treated myself to a new Fender Telecaster and named her Sheryl).
As a woman in the industry, it’s essential to have other women to look up to in both their lyrics and stylistic traits. Another writer who influences me is Chris Martin from Coldplay. I think his use of metaphors and the way he paints pictures in his lyrics are insightful.
What would you say makes your music unique?
I am an authentic storyteller. My personal, raw lyrics and classic songwriting style are accompanied by a blend of contemporary country, pop, and folk influences, creating an authentic yet seemingly familiar sound that fashions a sense of nostalgia and takes listeners back to a simpler time.
Do you have a process you follow when writing a song?
It varies from song to song. I’ll usually follow a feeling and start writing down lyric ideas and think of melody ideas simultaneously. I find multitasking the lyrics and melodies makes them work well together rather than fitting them in after. I’ll then work on the chords that best fit the melody and develop the strumming pattern, picking and marrying it to the same feeling as the lyrics. If it’s a sadder or slower song, I’ll tend to pick or lightly strum, whereas if I want the instrumental to be more upbeat and build momentum, I’ll do a faster/harder strum! Sometimes I’ll write in different ways, starting with chords or a melody idea, but it depends on the day and the outcome I want to achieve.
How has studying at BIMM helped you develop as an artist?
BIMM has been so great for helping me develop over the last year. Despite the pandemic, my tutors helped me make the most of it. I progressed so much as a songwriter and artist, from learning about theory, how to produce (which I had never done before coming to BIMM), and writing more efficiently and insightfully. I have a better understanding of my sound and what kind of artist I want to be. The Artist Development team have been super helpful in visualising my goals and what I need to do to achieve them.
What’s next for you?
More new music! I’ve been writing away and working on many new songs. My next single is due for release in November/December, and more to follow after that. I’m recording at South Lanes Studios at the end of this month, and am currently working on my debut EP, anticipated for Spring 2022. If you want to see me live, I will be supporting Lucy May Walker at the Brunswick on the 29th October. You can buy tickets here.
